Pitch me

Here we are, the morning after a three-hour, fifty-nine minute game featuring a ridiculous amount of offense due to some seriously bad pitching (including a balk by the former Toronto closer Jason Frasor). Dice-K is looking like the 103 Dollar Man, not the 103 Million Dollar Man. Why he struggles like he does, we may never know, but he better figure it out before the post season.

Notes:

• Seven games. The remaining 24 games (including a visit by NY to Fenway) will not be as scary as they could have been, but we still have a way to go.
• Pedro Martinez hit another milestone yesterday when he recorded his 3,000th strikeout. He comes into the game in the first inning throwing 82 miles per hour, yet he still picks up the win for the Mets.
• Clemens got beat up and is now going to have an MRI on his elbow. My bet? He’s finished. Tough way to end your fourth retirement.
• Not only did Clemens get Yanked early, his relief pitcher was Mike Mussina. How strange is that!?
• Mike Lowell is seriously amazing. If A-Rod were having a so-so year, Lowell would have to be considered for MVP. He’s basically taking the team on his back while Manny is on the mend. He wouldn’t win, mind you, since there are at least a half-dozen other AL players who could finish ahead of him, but he’s just really come through in the clutch.
• Pedroia is better defensively than anyone gave him credit (including Theo).
• I would love to see a defensive outfield trio of Drew, Coco and Ellsbury next year, but that would take Manny out of the equation. Interesting things to talk about during the off-season.